Footballers and managers to be educated on "cultural" issues as sport reacts to criticism

All players and managers will be given "cultural lessons" as part of football's response to Government criticism.

Last Updated: 11/12/12 9:00pm

Gordon Taylor: Reacting to criticism

Calls from Parliament for a more rigorous approach to fighting discrimination within the sport led to a co-ordinated response from FA, the PFA, the Premier League and the Football League.

And among the proposals put forward - though yet to be approved by the FA board - is a plan to extend an education programme already given to young players.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "Up until now we have had cultural awareness courses for our apprentices and the plan now is to extend these to senior players and coaches, including those coming from overseas.

"We want to make sure there is no misunderstanding with regards to the rules and regulations on discrimination."

The proposals come after renewed criticism of the way football handled recent high-profile discrimination cases involving John Terry and Luis Suarez, the second of whom argued that cultural differences were to blame for language he used towards Patrice Evra.

Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of the Kick It Out campaign, said: "There is very little morality in football among the top clubs. Leadership is so important; you have to send a powerful message that racism is completely unacceptable. But there is a moral vacuum.

"We were observing the process but the managers were speaking out and sticking up for Luis Suarez and John Terry. The FA should have asserted themselves, said they would not put up with people disrespecting the process, but the FA were very slack and weak."